Tag Archives: nature

Kori Bustard

Ardeotis kori

Considered one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, Kori Bustard males weigh as much as 18kg or even more. They have a wingspan of up to 2.75m, and stand up to 1.2 meters tall. Females however are much lighter and seldom exceed 7kg in weight.

Kori Bustards occur in flat, open, dry habitats and have an omnivorous diet that includes carrion, seeds, berries, flowers, eggs, insects and small vertebrates, often following fires and herds of game to catch flushed prey. Their Afrikaans name, “Gompou“, comes from their liking for Acacia-tree gum. Where water is easily available, Kori Bustards will drink regularly. They normally forage alone or in small groups, but are sometimes seen in bigger groups numbering up to 40 in areas of abundant food or at waterholes. These bustards are mostly terrestrial, taking to the wing only when necessary and even preferring to escape threats by running or hiding, though they are strong flyers once airborne. They forage during the cooler hours of early morning and late afternoon, preferring to spend the heat of the day in the shade. Nesting occurs in the warmer months, when usually two eggs are laid in shallow hollows on the ground. Following an elaborate courtship display, males attempt to mate with as many females as possible, and play no part in incubating the eggs (which lasts for about 25 days) or rearing the precocial chicks. Large raptors and big mammalian predators prey on both adult and young Kori Bustards.

Kori Bustard

Kori Bustard searching the burnt veld for prey

Kori Bustards

Kori Bustard

Kori Bustard displaying

Kori Bustard male displaying

Kori Bustard

Kori Bustard on Tshwene Drive

Kori Bustard in flight (photo by Joubert)

Kori Bustard (photo by Joubert)

Kori Bustard

Ongoing declines in the Kori Bustard’s population across its range, which stretches from Ethiopia and The Sudan to South Africa’s Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North-West, Northern, Eastern and Western Cape Provinces, has prompted the IUCN to raise its conservation status to “Near Threatened“. The South African population is estimated at between 2,000 and 5,000, with hundreds dying annually due to collisions with powerlines. The threats of illegal hunting and habitat degradation is placing further pressure on their numbers, and the species may well soon be confined only to conservation areas like the Kruger National Park, where the population is estimated around 250 adult birds. They can also be found in the Mapungubwe, Mokala and Pilanesberg National Parks.

Secretarybird

30 Replies

Sagittarius serpentarius

The Secretarybird is a very unusual raptor, with a long neck, even longer legs and a bunch of quill-like feathers at the back of its head, like pens behind a secretary’s ear, possibly earning it its name. Another explanation for the name comes from a French corruption of an Arabic word, saqr-et-tair, meaning “hunter bird”, which is a great description of its lifestyle. They are up to 1.5m tall, with a wingspan of over 2 meters and a weight up to 5kg.

Secretarybirds roam savannas, grasslands and semi-deserts, usually singly or in pairs, walking along in search of prey, which ranges from eggs, insects and other invertebrates to small mammals (up to the size of hares), birds, amphibians and reptiles – even large, poisonous snakes – which they immobilise or kill by vigorously stomping on it with their feet. Secretarybirds breed throughout the year, in nests built of sticks atop flat-topped trees. Two to three eggs are laid and incubated mostly by the female for about 45 days, though both parents feed the chicks until they leave the nest at about 80 days old and then are taught how to hunt for themselves. At times they congregate in flocks of up to 50 birds at waterholes, but pairs are monogamous.

Secretarybirds nest on flat-topped trees

Secretarybird

Secretarybird searching for victims of a recent fire

Secretarybirds nest on flat-topped trees

Secretarybird

Secretarybird nest building

Secretary Bird

Secretary Bird taking off

Secretary Bird

Secretary Bird on the Kamberg Road

Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)

Secretarybird in flight

Secretarybird

Secretary Bird on the hunt

Thirsty Secretarybird

Secretarybirds

Secretarybird

Wind-blown Secretarybird

Secretarybird

Secretarybird (photo by Joubert)

Wind-blown Secretary Bird

Secretarybird

Secretary Bird

Secretary bird flying off

Secretary Bird in flight

Secretary Bird

Secretary Birds

Secretary Bird

Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)

Secretary Bird

Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)

A Secretarybird features prominently on the coat of arms of South Africa, and can be found all over the country, although they are not very common and even less so outside the major conservation areas. Even in the Kruger National Park it is thought that the population stands at only about 250 – 300 adult birds. The IUCN considers them “Vulnerable” as their populations have declined severely, mostly due to habitat loss and hunting for traditional medicine (the belief being that their ground-up bones confers respect, power and fearlessness).

Grey Crowned Crane

27 Replies

Balearica regulorum

The Grey Crowned Crane with its eye-catching “hairstyle” must be one of the most easily identifiable birds in South Africa. Their Afrikaans name, Mahem, is a good imitation of their call. They stand about 1m high and weigh roughly 3.5kg.

Grey Crowned Cranes can be found in or near wetlands and flooded grasslands, and is one of the few crane species that will perch in trees. Their diet is omnivorous, ranging from grass-seeds and grains to insects, crabs and small vertebrates. Pairs are territorial during the nesting season, which stretches over the wetter seasons in South Africa. Nests are platforms built from grass and sedges in waterlogged areas. Courtship includes elaborate dances involving jumping and bowing. Two to five eggs are incubated for four weeks, and the precocial chicks fledge within 100 days of hatching. Outside the breeding season Grey Crowned Cranes flock and roost communally in groups numbering up to 200.

Grey Crowned Crane

Grey Crowned Cranes at their nesting site

Flock of Grey Crowned Cranes in flight

Grey Crowned Crane

Grey Crowned Crane (photo by Joubert)

As a result of wide-spread habitat loss and illegal collection of eggs and live birds from the wild for the illegal wildlife trade and traditional uses, the IUCN considers the Grey Crowned Crane to be endangered, despite their wide distribution in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The population in South Africa is estimated at between 4,000 and 5,000 (out of a total population probably below 64,000 on the continent) and is mostly found in the provinces of the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga.

Blue Crane

47 Replies

Anthropoides paradiseus

South Africa’s national bird is a relatively small, blue-grey species of crane that stands around a meter high, with a wingspan of up to 2 meters and a weight up to 6kg.

Blue Cranes inhabit open grasslands, karoo-scrublands, fynbos and marshes, and have adapted to feeding in grainfields and pastures where these intrude into their preferred habitat. Grass and sedge seeds are their primary food source, though they’ll also take insects, frogs, crabs, and small reptiles and mammals. Blue Cranes are diurnal, roosting in wetlands at night.

Outside the summer breeding season Blue Cranes congregate in large (from 50 to 1000 birds), nomadic flocks, while in the breeding season they can be found in pairs or family groups. They perform an elaborate courtship dance, involving running, jumping, flapping and calling. Two eggs are laid in a simple nest constructed of reeds or grass in marshes and grasslands, and parents take turns to incubate the clutch for around 30 days. Any animal – human, herbivore or predator – is relentlessly attacked when they come too close the nest.

Blue Crane sharing its range with a plains zebra

Blue Crane standing tall

Blue Crane in Ithala Game Reserve

Blue Cranes at Chelmsford Nature Reserve

Blue Crane at Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary

Blue Crane close-up

Blue Crane in Ithala Game Reserve

Blue Crane

Blue Crane on the wing

Blue Cranes on the Lower Loteni Road

Blue Cranes in flight over Bontebok National Park

Blue Cranes in flight

Blue Crane (photo by Joubert)

Blue Crane

Blue cranes with their chick

Blue Crane

Blue crane chick (photo by Joubert)

Blue crane chick

Blue Crane

Blue Cranes with chicks

Blue Cranes

The IUCN considers the Blue Crane “Vulnerable” as their population has been seriously decreased by poisoning, loss of habitat and collisions with power lines. Population estimates put their numbers in the region of 25,000 in South Africa (almost half of which can be found in the Western Cape Province) with less than a 100 in neighbouring Namibia.

Giraffe

39 Replies

Giraffa camelopardalis

Out and about in South Africa’s wild places, the Giraffe is probably the closest thing you can get to a “gentle giant”, although I still wouldn’t venture too close to those powerful legs and heavy hooves if I were you! Towering up to 5 meters high, Giraffe are by far the tallest animal alive on earth today. Bulls can weigh up to 1,500kg, while cows are more delicately built and seldom reach a ton in weight.

Giraffe close-up

Cheeky youngster!

Helloooo!

Giraffe pair

Giraffe

Giraffe bull

Giraffe hide

Giraffes prefer open semi-desert and savanna habitats, especially where thorn trees proliferate. They feed on leaves, shoots, pods, flowers, thorns and fruit, consuming more than 50kg of browse daily. They also have a curious habit of chewing on old bones to supplement the calcium in their diet. When surface water is available, Giraffes will drink regularly, but in drier areas, like the Namib desert, they can survive without water for extended periods.

Giraffe walking away from Bangu in the Kruger Park

The giraffe is Ithala’s emblem

Curious giraffe

Giraffe drinking at Mazithi (Kruger Park)

Giraffe dwarfed

Giraffe and Imfolozi scenery

Giraffe, Girivana (Kruger)

Giraffe near Ngotso Dam (Kruger)

Giraffe reaching for tasty leaves

Giraffes in riverine forest

Curious giraffe

Bending low to quench a thirsty throat

Feeding on a thorn bush

That awkward drinking stance

Giraffe fountain

That awkward drinking stance

Giraffe

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffe seem to thrive at Augrabies despite the harsh environment

Giraffes

Giraffe society is a very fluid one. Adult cows and their calves congregate in herds numbering up to 30, but these are not very stable and individuals move between herds as they please. Adult bulls live mostly solitary lives, while younger bulls often associate in bachelor groups after leaving their maternal herds. Adult bulls establish their dominance through ritualised displays and fighting by using their long necks and heads as clubs, often knocking one another unconscious and sometimes even causing the death of one of the combatants through a broken neck or limb when they crash to the ground after a well placed blow. Although they seem ungainly, Giraffes can attain speeds of up to 60km/h, run for distances of up to 7km, and jump over fences 1.5m high! Giraffes have acute senses and other herbivore species often accompany them, as Giraffes are usually the first to detect the presence of predators. They are mostly diurnal, preferring to rest in the shade during the heat of the day.

Giraffe in a sea of Mopani

Giraffe in the mopane

Giraffe under heavy skies

Giraffe and oxpecker

Giraffes, S41 (Kruger)

Lazy giraffe

Standing proud

Peek-a-boo!

Mature giraffe bull

Time for a rest

Towering over the road

Tower of giraffes

Young giraffe in Mokala National Park

Giraffe in Mokala National Park

Giraffe family in Mokala National Park

Close-up of a stately giraffe bull

Giraffes in Mokala National Park

Giraffes

Giraffe

Giraffe bull

Giraffe at a gallop

Iconic Ithala: Giraffe and Ngotshe Mountain

Giraffe on the Kwaggasvlakte near Bontle in the Marakele National Park

Giraffe bull

Giraffe

Giraffes

Newly born Giraffe calf with its mother

Giraffe (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe bull

Giraffes

Giraffe portrait (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe youngster

Giraffe just after sunrise

Very dark giraffe bull (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe catching the first rays of sunshine on the Red Rocks Loop

Giraffe Calf

Cows give birth standing up to single calves, although twins have been recorded, after a 15 month gestation. Giraffe calves are about 1.8m high and weigh up to 100kg at birth, and can stand within an hour of being born. Cows are very determined about protecting their calves, and many a lion has been kicked to death when attempting to catch a calf. Calves also fall prey to hyenas and leopards, while adults only really need to fear lions, of which they are a favourite prey. Giraffe can live to an age of up to 30 years in the wild.

Giraffe family

The giraffe is Ithala’s emblem

Giraffes aplenty

Giraffes near Nhlanguleni (Kruger)

Young giraffe males on the Crocodile River road (Kruger)

Giraffe, Shingwedzi (Kruger)

Juvenile giraffe

Giraffe, H1-4 (Kruger)

Mom and baby

Giraffe youngster

That head can deliver a hefty blow!

Giraffe calf

Giraffe

Giraffe calf

Giraffe cousins

Newly born Giraffe calf

Giraffe

Giraffe (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe calf nibbling on tender shoots

Giraffe cow and calf

Giraffe

Giraffes

Despite being classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, giraffe populations are declining across much of their range due to habitat loss and poaching, and the total African population now probably numbers less than 80,000 animals. Over 30,000 animals, representing the two southern subspecies, occur in Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa (where they have been extensively introduced outside their natural distribution range) and likely represent the only stable or increasing populations of giraffe on the continent. South Africa’s biggest population of giraffe occur in the Kruger National Park, but they are also regularly encountered in several other parks and reserves, including the uMkhuze section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Mapungubwe, Marakele, Mokala and Pilanesberg National Parks, and Ithala Game Reserve, of which they are the emblem.

Giraffe bull

Giraffe enjoying the shade

Giraffe

Scenery near Pretoriuskop, complete with a giraffe

Giraffe calf

Tower of giraffe

Giraffes along the Mphongolo

Giraffe close-up

Young Giraffe

Giraffes on the way to Orpen

Light-coloured Giraffe

Giraffe drinking from a small pan

Giraffe silhouette

Giraffes

Giraffes crossing the road

Giraffe

Resting Giraffe calf

Giraffe

Giraffe roadblock

Giraffes at the junction of Tlou and Sefara

Herd of giraffes on Tshwene Drive

Giraffe eyeing us from a lofty vantage point

Giraffes peering from a clump of bushes

Giraffe close-up

Giraffe checking on the condition of the road

Wary family of giraffes

Giraffe drinking from the Sabie River

Giraffe traversing the plains of Nylsvley

Giraffe

Giraffe calf

Young Giraffe

Drinking Giraffe

Dribbling Giraffe

Drinking Giraffe

Dribbling Giraffe – photo by Joubert

Drinking Giraffe

Giraffe (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe

Giraffe (photo by Joubert)

Giraffes

Giraffe baby

Giraffe drinking

Giraffe

Young Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffes

Giraffe

Giraffe snacking

Giraffe

Giraffes got a fright at my approach

Giraffe

Giraffes making their way around Senyati

Giraffe making its way around Senyati

Giraffes

Giraffe (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe calf (photo by Joubert)

Giraffes (photo by Joubert)

Giraffe calf

Giraffe

Recent genetic studies suggest that there may actually be four distinct species of giraffe, but it remains to be seen whether this becomes a widely accepted scientific view.

Giraffe at dusk

Icon of Ithala

Sunrise giraffe

Giraffe sunset, near Olifants in the Kruger National Park

Sunrise silhouette

Enjoying the first Spring Rains at Rietvlei

14 Replies

This past weekend allowed us our first brief escape from city life of the new season. Our day at Rietvlei Nature Reserve was blessed with the first, and very welcome, rainfall of Spring, although accompanied by a terribly windy cold front which put an early end to our plans for a nice picnic next to the dam. Happily the reserve’s wildlife came out to greet us in their numbers, despite the inclement weather.

Eland cow

Ostriches silhouetted against dark skies

Plains Zebra

White Rhinoceros

Black-backed Jackal

Springbok ewe and lamb

Black Wildebeest

Egyptian Geese

African Spoonbill

African Sacred Ibis

Black-winged Stilt

Plains Zebra stallion, sporting battle scars

Yellow-billed Duck

Waterbuck bull

Southern Reedbuck

A wet road, with promise of more to come

Northern Black Korhaan

Crowned Lapwing

Springbok on the run through wet grass

A portion of Rietvlei Dam during the downpour

World Rhino Day 2016

29 Replies

The 22nd of September is World Rhino Day, a day to reflect on the large-scale slaughter these enigmatic animals are facing due to human greed and superstitious culture.

For the first time in years there is a reason for cautious optimism, with the South African Ministry of Environmental Affairs announcing on the 11th of September that, despite an enormous increase in the number of poaching incursions into the Kruger National Park, there has been an almost 18% decline in the number of rhinos killed by poachers in the period January to August in South Africa’s flagship Park, rightly attributed to the never-ending efforts of dedicated rangers and other people in law enforcement. Still, the 458 carcasses found in Kruger so far this year (compared to 557 for the same 8 month period last year) is a terrifying number, and it is even worse when considering that in our country as a whole at least 702 rhinos have been killed this year, bringing the total lost since the scourge started escalating in 2007 within sight of the 6,000 mark.

Today is also another chance to express our deep gratitude to those brave men and women out in the bush, fighting a war against the decimation of our wildlife, putting their lives on the line so that black and white rhinos remain a feature of Africa’s natural heritage for generations to come.

A couple of de-horned White Rhinoceros in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve. De-horning is a drastic and costly measure to protect the animals, and sadly only a practical option in smaller populations.

Common Ostrich

44 Replies

Struthio camelus

As the biggest bird on the planet, and the fastest creature on two legs, ostriches are familiar to most people. Males stand up to 2.8m tall and weigh up to 160kg, females are usually a lot lighter in build.

Ostrich close-up

Ostrich female

Ostrich male

Ostrich

Ostrich Male

Ostrich male

Female Ostrich

Ostrich

Ostrich foot

Ostrich head

Ostrich feathers (female)(photo by Joubert)

Ostriches occur in open habitats, and are commonly found in open grasslands, arid savannas, semi-deserts and even true deserts, where they are superbly adapted to cope with the hot and dry conditions. They feed mostly on plant material such as seeds, fruits, leaves, grass and flowers, but will also gobble up any invertebrates and small mammals and reptiles it comes across. They’ll swallow stones to assist in breaking down tough plant material in their gizzards. Ostriches do not need to drink water regularly, but when it is available they will drink readily and will even bathe to cool off.

Ostrich female

Ostrich at home in Bontle, Marakele NP

Ostrich male swallowing something large

Ostrich male

Common Ostrich in northern Kruger

Ostrich male among mopane trees

Ostrich near Tinhongonyeni, Kruger Park

Ostriches in the hills of Mountain Zebra National Park

Ostrich couple in the Karoo

Ostrich male searching for a bite

Ostrich couple

Grazing ostrich

Ostrich male

Ostrich at Bollonoto

Common Ostrich Pair

Ostrich male

Ostrich female

Ostriches are usually to be found in pairs or small flocks, though larger groups of up to 100 are not uncommon. They also often associate with herds of plains zebra and antelope, who also benefits from the ostriches’ exceptional eyesight. Ostriches are extremely capable runners, covering 3 to 5m in a single stride and reaching speeds of up to 80km/h – they can run the 100m in 5 seconds! Even a month-old chick can outrun a lion. They also have exceptional stamina and can run for half an hour at a speed of 50km/h. Their two-toed kick is legendary and armed by a long claw can easily kill a predator or human through disemboweling when they feel threatened or are protecting their offspring. These flightless birds are diurnal, and most active in the early morning and late afternoon. Like many other birds, ostriches are very fond of a regular dust bath.

Male Ostrich on the run

Female Ostrich on the run

Ostrich female being blown all over the place by the strong wind

Female ostrich

Ostrich at home in Bontle, Marakele NP

Ostrich female setting off

Ostriches love dustbaths

Ostrich foot

Flock of ostrich on the move

Ostrich

Ostrich and Pied Crows

Ostrich

Ostriches

Female ostrich striding through Bontle camp (photo by Joubert)

Ostrich Chick

Males utter an impressive booming “roar”, mostly at night during the breeding season, and not unlike that of a lion. Males are polygamous, and perform an elaborate dance for their females before mating. Several females will lay their eggs in the same shallowly scraped nest on the ground – eventually there may be up to 40 eggs in the nest. It is well known that ostrich eggs are huge – weighing as much as 1.4kg, one ostrich egg is equivalent to about 20 chicken eggs. Within each flock there is one dominant hen, and her eggs will be laid in the middle of the nest where they are most assured to be incubated, while “minor” hens’ eggs are pushed to the side – eventually only up to about 20 (usually 12 – 16) of the eggs in the nest will be successfully incubated. The differently coloured plumage assists in camouflaging them while incubating, as females mostly incubate the eggs by day, and the males by night. While on the nest, ostriches will often lie with their necks outstretched on the ground so that their characteristic outline does not attract unwanted attention on the open plains they inhabit (but they don’t bury their heads in the sand as is often thought). Eggs hatch after 40 – 48 days and the hatchlings are looked after by both parents. The cryptic colouration and markings of the young chicks are excellent camouflage. Hyenas actively search out ostrich nests to eat the eggs, and almost all Africa’s predatory mammals and larger birds of prey will go after chicks. Adults fall prey to lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, cheetahs and wild dogs. Though only about 15% of hatchlings survive to 1 year of age, ostriches can live up to 40 years in the wild, and even longer in domesticated situations.

Ostrich flock, Kruger Park (H1-4)

Ostrich male in breeding condition

Ostrich mating display

The mating display was successful…

Ostrich female on a nest

Ostrich chicks

Ostrich siblings

Ostrich chicks

Father and son time at Nylsvley

Ostrich family

Ostrich juvenile

Ostriches mating at Mountain Zebra National Park

Ostrich family

Ostrich male with his chicks

Ostrich male on the run

Ostrich male

Ostrich female

Abandoned ostrich egg

Ostrich nest

Ostriches can be found across most of South Africa, in both state and private conservation areas, although the majority of these populations stem from hybrids bred for the feather trade and only a few flocks, such as those in the Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, are truly wild. Ostriches are also farmed in large numbers for their feathers, leather and lean meat and some of these farms, notably around the town of Oudtshoorn, have become tourist attractions in their own right. Despite the fact that ostrich populations are declining due mostly to loss of habitat, the IUCN considers the species of least concern at the moment.

Male ostrich

Ostrich family

Ostrich

Ostrich close-up

Male Ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Ostrich male

Ostrich

Male ostrich

Mating ostriches

Very satisfied male ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Female Ostrich

Ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Male ostrich eyeing us from above

Male ostrich

Ostrich female

Ostrich pair

Ostriches

Ostrich female

Ostrich pair

Ostrich male

Male Ostriches

Male Ostrich

Ostrich female

Ostrich female with chicks

Ostrich face

Ostriches

Male Ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Female ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Male ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Ostriches at sunset

Ostrich at sunrise

Ostrich

Ostrich male “dancing” for the female

Mating ostriches

Ostrich face

Ostrich

Ostriches on the beach at the Cape of Good Hope

Ostrich on the beach at the Cape of Good Hope

Female Ostrich

Male Ostrich

Ostrich male chasing female

Ostrich family with newly hatched chicks

Ostrich Toe & Nail

Ostrich Male

Baby Ostrich

Ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Ostrich chick

Male Ostrich

Male Ostrich sunbathing

Ostriches females in a tiff

Ostriches in the long grass

Ostriches

Ostriches dustbathing

Smiling Ostrich

Ostrich family gathering (photo by Joubert)

Ostriches

Ostrich

Roan Antelope

43 Replies

Hippotragus equinus

Standing 1.5m high and weighing up to 300kg, the Roan Antelope is one of the biggest antelope occurring in South Africa. Their black-and-white face masks and curiously long ears make them easily recognisable.

Roan Antelope calf near Mooiplaas in the Kruger Park

Roan Antelope Bull along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger Park

Roan Antelope Cow along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger Park

Roan Antelope calf – such long ears!

Roan Antelope

Roan Antelope are grazers, occurring in lightly wooded savannas and preferring areas with long grass and easy access to drinking water.

Roan Antelope drinking at Boyela in Kruger Park

Roan Antelope in Mokala National Park

Roan Antelope cow near Mooiplaas in Kruger Park

Roan antelope cow

Roan antelope Bull

Roan Antelope along the Shingwedzi River

Roan Antelope

Breeding herds, usually numbering between 2 and 15 animals, consist of a dominant bull, cows and calves that occupy a specific home range of up to 200km² (the size of which depends on the availability of quality grazing and water sources) for generations. While they are not strictly territorial, the lead bull will not tolerate other bulls coming closer than 300 – 500m from his harem.

Roan Antelope in Northern Kruger

Roan Antelope bull in Mokala National Park

Sub-adult Roan Antelope

Roan Antelope cow near Mooiplaas in the Kruger Park

Roan Antelope herd along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger

Roan Antelope Cow near Mopani in Kruger Park

Roan Antelope Bull

Big herd of roan antelope on the floodplain at Vogelfonteinin Nylsvley Nature Reserve

Single calves are born at any time of the year, though mostly in spring and summer, and remain hidden for the first 2 – 6 weeks after birth with the mother returning to it twice daily for nursing. Calves form “creches” once they are introduced to the herd, rather than constantly sticking to their mothers’ side. The curved horns of the adults are formidable weapons, and even lions are wary of attacking them, though calves are easy prey as they’ll try to remain hidden and will seldom attempt to flee when threatened by a predator, explaining in part why up to 40% of calves die before reaching 5 months of age. Roan Antelope have a natural life expectancy of up to 19 years in the wild.

Sub-adult Roan Antelope

Roan Antelope Cow and Calf along the Nshawu marsh in Kruger

Juvenile Roan Antelope near Mopani in Kruger Park

Just look at the ears on this Roan Antelope calf!

In Africa as a whole, the roan population is estimated at around 76,000 by the IUCN, with an overall decreasing trend due to poaching and habitat loss. In South Africa they are a rare species, numbering perhaps 1,500 in total, with small populations to be found in the Kruger, Marakele and Mokala National Parks, a few provincial nature reserves and on some private properties.

Roan antelope

Roan Antelope

Roan Antelope bull

Roan Antelope cow and calf

Roan Antelope

Roan Antelope calf

Roan Antelope

Gemsbok

26 Replies

Oryx gazella

The large and beautiful Gemsbok (also known as the Southern Oryx) is synonymous with South Africa’s arid Karoo and Kalahari regions. They occur under the harshest imaginable conditions in the Namib desert, but also in a wide range of more hospitable environments, such as open thornveld, mopane shrub and open grasslands, and are often encountered on rocky hillsides in these areas. Gemsbok are mixed feeders, consuming mostly short grass, leaves and shoots, roots and tubers, fruits and seedpods, showing specific preferences in each season. They are entirely independent of drinking water, but will drink up to 9 liters a day when it is available.

Gemsbok bulls can weigh up to 240kg and stand up to 1.3m high at the shoulder. Cows are slightly smaller in build, but usually have longer (and thinner) horns. For such large animals they are superbly adapted to a life in harsh, arid environments, being able to concentrate their urine and reabsorbing the maximum possible moisture from their dung. Gemsbok can even allow their body temperature to rise from a normal 36°C to 45°C before having to sweat and pant to cool down!

Gemsbok in thornveld

Gemsbok herd in the Karoo

Gemsbok in the Karoo

Gemsbok

Gemsbok roaming the plains of Camdeboo

Gemsbok

Gemsbok herd on the move

Gemsbok in the Auob River

Gemsbok

Gemsbok drinking

Gemsbok herd

Gemsbok

Gemsbok calf

Gemsbok

Gemsbok (photo by Joubert)

Gemsbok and Springbok

Gemsbok scaling a hill in Mokala

Gemsbok walking through Wild Rosemary (aka Kapokbos) in seed

Gemsbok

Gemsbok calves

Gemsbok occur in herds consisting of cows, calves and non-breeding bulls that move over the territories of several dominant territorial breeding males. The mixed herds are normally quite small, numbering between 5 and 40 animals, but can at times form temporary aggregations of up to 300 strong in response to favourable localised conditions. Breeding herds can cover enormous home ranges, especially during times of drought. They are normally active in the early morning and late afternoon, and often throughout the night, resting up during the heat of the day in any available shade.

Gemsbok in thornveld

Solitary Gemsbok bull

Gemsbok at Mokala National Park

Gemsbok are often encountered on rocky hillsides

Gemsbok on the run

Gemsbok are regular visitors at Haak-en-Steek in Mokala

Gemsbok

Gemsbok dominance display

Gemsbok

Gemsbok family

Gemsbok on Mokala’s open plains

Gemsbok

Gemsbok at Mokala National Park, April 2018

Gemsbok caught in the rain

A herd of gemsbok huddled together in the thunderstorm

Gemsbok are brave and aggressive, and thus very dangerous, especially when wounded or cornered or when protecting their calves. Single calves are born away from the herd at the end of the dry season, and remain hidden for the first few weeks after birth. Mothers return to the calves twice daily for nursing until she introduces the calf to the herd at between 3 and 6 weeks of age. Adult Gemsbok are only attacked by lions and spotted hyenas, who are often killed in the process, but unattended calves are easy prey for most of Africa’s predators. Gemsbok have a natural life expectancy of up to 20 years.

Gemsbok occur in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, with the IUCN estimating a total population of between 326,000 and 373,000 and recognising no major threats to their continued survival. South Africa’s biggest single population of Gemsbok occur in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, but they can also be seen at Karoo, Mapungubwe, Marakele, Mokala and Mountain Zebra National Parks, several other game and nature reserves, and on many private farms, where they are a popular game ranching species. The Beisa Oryx (Oryx beisa) from East Africa is now considered a seperate species.